This is a very beautiful post. And so I almost hesitate to make a criticism. But I guess you know that I am going to anyway :-)
"Τoday's office art is about life's only real constraint; time."
I have to disagree. Available energy is also sometimes one of life's really serious constraints if one has an aim. Especially when one has not achieved much wisdom until later in life, when available energy is declining.
"One may know what needs to be done, but one may not have the energy to do it." John G. Bennett
I partly agree this is why I bring energy into the story in the end, but it is the energy of the soul that moves us towards enlightenment and happiness while Mr.Benett is talking more likely about the energy of the body (I think) which most people focus on. But in any case you cannot deplete energy without putting time into the equation...
I like your criticism @onceuponatime, it is a good opportunity for dialogue. After all everything is a matter of perspective!
I am pretty sure that Mr Bennett is speaking of energy for the spiritual quest. It (energy) is generated first by the body through food intake and digestion, then refined by breath and then by conscious perception, service and sacrifice. Energy needs to be first generated and then refined and accumulated in order to pursue a spiritual aim.
Yes, most people focus on energy of the body. However it is commonly leaked out in wasteful pursuits and activities rather than refining and accumulating it for the journey of the soul. But it all begins with the body either way.
Although I honestly have no idea if what is truth or not, I tend to believe the exact opposite. The soul, if it exists and forms our spiritual energy, it existed before our body comes into life and will exist after our body is no longer around. But who knows anyway.
Have you found anything in yourself that will survive death? We must create something that can survive death for our onward spiritual journey (back to Source). And, like you, I do not know - but that is my working hypothesis :-)
agreed with you @onceuponatime :)